Headaches

Everyone knows what it's like to get a headache. The all-too-familiar throbbing pain and nagging pressure can often strike when we're feeling stressed, tired, or emotionally upset. But there are ways to prevent and relieve headaches. Read on to get the "heads up" on head pain. And while you're at it, get tips on medicine cabinet cleaning - you probably need to get this off your chest!

More than one "flavour"

Headaches come in many different varieties.

There's the all-time classic tension headache (think vanilla), so common that just about anyone who's got a head has experienced one. Eyestrain, fatigue, and stress (mental or emotional) are all key ingredients in this flavour. These headaches are usually dull, with pressure around both sides of the head.

Next on the list is the sinus headache. It often comes on during or after nasal congestion or a runny nose. Pain is usually felt at the front of the head. It is commonly worse in cold, damp weather and in mornings; it lessens in afternoons.

Then there's the cluster headache, which, just as the name implies, typically occurs in "clusters" that can range from one to several headaches a day. Episodes usually last for 6 to 12 weeks. Unlike tension headaches, stress isn't a triggering factor, and the pain is usually on one side of the head. For some unknown reason, they affect more men than women.

Ice-pick headaches are fairly rare – but when they strike, watch out! Severe pain is localized to one small spot and comes without warning, like you've just been hit over the head with an ice pick. Attacks usually last less than an hour – generally 10 to 15 minutes.

Rebound headaches may develop as a result of medication overuse. If you are using headache medications more than twice a week, or not as recommended by your doctor, you could experience further headaches. This is because your body gets used to the medication, so when the headache medication wears off, your body may experience a withdrawal reaction. This can cause a cycle of getting a headache and taking more medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to safely reduce the use of these medications while managing your headaches.

Finally, we have the migraine, which is no ordinary headache. Pain ranges from mild to severe and isn't necessarily the only symptom. Migraines can also trigger nausea and vomiting. In some people with migraines, visual disturbances called "auras" (like seeing zigzag flashes and shimmering lights) may show up for about 10 to 30 minutes right before the migraine starts. A migraine "attack" can last from 4 to 72 hours. The agony usually stops people in their tracks. It disrupts work and play activities, and many sufferers need to retreat and rest until the migraine is over.

Rarely, certain headaches can be a sign of a serious problem. For example, headaches that appear out of the blue with fever and a stiff neck could point to a brain infection called meningitis. Headaches plus weakness, trouble speaking, vision problems, dizziness, or coordination problems can be a warning of a stroke.

The take-home message: Headaches are a pain, but they often disappear on their own. But if your headaches are severe and long-lasting, see your doctor immediately – so you can put your mind at rest.

Make it stop!

When a headache strikes, it can feel like an eternity before it disappears. Don't stress out – if it's a tension headache, you'll just make it worse. Try these methods instead for quick relief:

Take a warm shower – steam relieves sinus pain.

Apply an ice pack for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time.

Massage temples with your fingertips (better yet, get someone else to do it!).

Place a cold, moist towel over your forehead while lying down.

Take a walk – fresh air helps.

Rest and take a nap.

Preventing headaches is better than treating them. We're often too quick to grab that bottle of painkillers. Here are some non-medication ways to avoid tension headaches:

Avoid or eliminate the stressful situation.

Get regular exercise.

Get plenty of rest and sleep.

Eat regular meals – skipping meals can cause headaches.

Avoid excess caffeine and alcohol.

Prevent eyestrain – don't work for long periods at the computer without taking breaks to rest your eyes.

Wear sunglasses and avoid squinting in the sun.

If you need to grab those pills, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find the best one for you. There are a variety of headache medications to choose from. Remember to continue with the non-medication methods above to get the best results.

No matter what, if headaches get worse or become more frequent, see your doctor.

Kids get them too

Yes, children can get headaches – more than 25% of children in Canada between the ages of 12 and 13 experience headaches at least once a week. Before puberty (when hormones haven't yet kicked in), headaches are far more common in boys than girls.

Never ignore a child who comes to you complaining, "My head hurts!" Pain can be triggered by certain factors such as food. If your child is prone to migraines or chronic headaches, here's a list of things you shouldn't buy at the grocery store:

It may help to keep a "headache diary" with your child to record events surrounding the headaches. This way, you can figure out the root cause of the problem and take action to prevent future head pain. See a doctor if your child's headaches worsen or become more frequent.

If your child is experiencing a headache, try non-medication treatments first, like rest, fresh air, or putting a cold moist towel to the forehead. If you feel that medication is needed, ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend the right medication and the right dose for your child. If at any time the headaches worsen or increase in frequency, make an appointment with your doctor.

Clear your chest

Clear your chest. Your medicine chest or cabinet, that is. When was the last time you cleaned it out?

If you're a regular headache sufferer or live with someone who is, then your cabinet is probably full of painkillers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).

You should make it a habit to check expiry dates and chuck out all outdated medications or those that show signs of breaking down. Just like food, medications do spoil over time. Old ASA (e.g., Aspirin®) and acetaminophen tablets that are ready to be thrown out may smell of vinegar. Liquid medications may become discoloured.

But don't throw medications in the garbage! Instead, take them to your local pharmacy for disposal. Many pharmacies have programs where they accept old medications and pay for special waste disposal companies to destroy them safely. Alternatively, check out local community newspapers advertising hazardous waste disposal days organized by your community. You can usually get rid of outdated medications at these events along with unwanted household chemicals like leftover paint and paint thinners.